Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Is this hadith authentic: 4 Rakaats Before Salaat al-Isha. Hazrat Sa’eed Ibn Jubair (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that the Sahaabah (radhiallahu anhum) used to regard the performing of four rakaats before the fardh of isha as mustahab. (Qiyaamul-Layl of Marwazi pg.58) Is this the only hadeeth prooving the 4 rakat before Isha?If there are more please provide whith its authencity.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that this finds you well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good and success in this life and the next.
I don’t know about the status of that specific hadith.
The recommendation of performing either two or four rakats before Isha is established by the general Prophetic recommendation to pray before each obligatory prayer (with the exception of Maghrib, because of the specific command to hasten its performance without delay). [Kasani, Bada’i` al-Sana’i`; Zayla`i, Tabyin al-Haqa’iq; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Nawawi, al-Majmu`]]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Between each set of calls to prayer [i.e. between each adhan and iqama] is a prayer.” He repeated this three times, and then said, “For whoever wishes to do so.” [Bukhari and Muslim from Abd Allah ibn Mughaffal (Allah be pleased with him)].
This is also the position of the Shafi`i school. [Nawawi, al-Majmu`]
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani